Experience fun and imaginative readings of new plays by Philadelphia-area elementary and middle school students, brought to life in collaboration with professional theater artists. This ONE-DAY only performance will feature four pieces by student playwrights.

JuMaddenji by Clyde Greenberg, Myers Elementary, 4th Grade

The Case of the Stolen Ice Cream Machine by Kai Pierce, Tristin Li, and Frank Llagoni, J.R. Masterman, 6th Grade

The Rodents Revenge by Ray Bonner and Abram Saavedra, Wyncote Elementary, 4th Grade

Who Killed Chuck the Chicken by Oliver Carlson, Springfield Township Middle School, 7th Grade

Showtime: Saturday, April 12th at 11am

Venue: Asian Arts Initiative, Black Box Theater, 1219 Vine St Philadelphia, PA 19107

Tickets are pay what you decide with a suggested donation of $15.

About the Play Selection Process

Each year, Philadelphia Young Playwrights invites students to submit their plays and monologues to the Annual Playwriting Festival. Plays are considered by the Literary Committee—a collection of nearly 70 program alumni, artists, staff, teachers, and others—who read and write individualized responses to every play. Literary Committee members recommend a number of outstanding plays to be considered for further consideration by two additional groups of readers, Pre-Final Committee and Final Committee. At Final Committee, the panel selects plays and monologues for opportunities such as public productions, one-on-one mentorship, and one-day playwriting retreats. Students whose pieces are selected for production are invited to continue to revise and develop their plays in partnership with theater professionals as part of the rehearsal and performance process.

These plays were selected from over 700 submissions from 30 different schools to be a part of our Play Development Series! Student playwrights have the opportunity to be present in the rehearsal process, and work with local professional directors and actors to bring their writing from page to stage.

SaturPLAY 2025

An event for the whole family, featuring selected plays by elementary and middle school students